The year 2025 marked the beginning of an important chapter in Maharashtra’s developmental journey, which was initiated when Devendra Fadnavis took over as the CM in December 2014. Ten years later in December 2024, after his return as CM, the state entered a new phase of development. The year 2025 so far has witnessed the implementation of many forward-looking schemes, projects, and policies by the Fadnavis government in several areas and sectors in the state. Through these policies, the state has not only started a new era of economic progress but also paved the way for inclusive and sustainable development, fostering environmental balance, social harmony, and the integration of cutting-edge technology. Notable among these initiatives are the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2025 (promoting eco-friendly transportation), the Maharashtra Housing Policy 2025 (ensuring affordable housing), the Maharashtra Startup Policy 2025 (empowering budding entrepreneurs), policies for the maritime industry, the Maharashtra AVGC–XR Policy 2025, the Maharashtra Shipbuilding Policy 2025, the MahaAgri–AI Policy 2025, and the App-Based Transportation Policy 2025, among others. These policies will drive reforms across diverse sectors, including sustainable development, energy security, urban infrastructure, housing, entrepreneurship, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR), AI-based cutting-edge agriculture, and marine-related industries.
It is widely believed that the futuristic decisions taken by the government during this period, particularly those concerning the service sector, will generate numerous opportunities for investment and employment within Maharashtra and ensure a bright image of the state both nationally and internationally.
Maharashtra Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality Policy 2025
The ‘Maharashtra Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) Policy 2025’ was approved during the State Cabinet meeting held on September 17, 2025. Under this policy, the AVGC sector has been accorded the status of an ‘Industry and Infrastructure Sector,’ a move expected to generate approximately 200,000 employment opportunities within the state by 2050. To this end, an investment plan totaling ₹3,268 crore has been formulated. This includes an investment of ₹308 crore for the next five years (2025–2030) and ₹2,960 crore for the subsequent 20 years (2031–2050).
AVGC-XR parks will be established at various locations across the state. These locations include Mumbai Film City, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Kolhapur, Satara, and Nagpur. These parks will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure, such as high-speed digital connectivity, motion capture studios, post-production labs, high-performance rendering facilities, and sound recording studios. The objective of this policy is to foster the growth of startups and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating within this sector. This industry has been designated as an ‘Essential Service’ and will be developed as a sector capable of operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To ensure the availability of the skilled workforce required for this sector, a ‘Maharashtra AVGC-XR Skill Advisory Committee’ will be constituted to oversee skill development and training initiatives.
Maharashtra State Housing Policy 2025
Announced under the motto ‘Mera Ghar, Mera Adhikar’ (My Home, My Right), the Maharashtra Housing Policy 2025, created by the Devendra Fadnavis government, has set a target for itself to construct 5 million homes by 2030. This initiative encompasses rental housing for women, specialized amenities for senior citizens, hostels for students, and affordable housing for the economically weaker sections of society. The policy places a strong emphasis on the use of eco-friendly technologies in new constructions, adoption of climate-friendly building concepts, and the promotion of sustainable urbanization. The State Government has decided to invest ₹70,000 crore in this policy initiative. A portion of these housing projects will be implemented through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). The State Government announced the new State Housing Policy 2025—the first such policy in 18 years—during a State Cabinet meeting held on May 20, 2025. The previous state housing policy was announced in 2007.
Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2025
The Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2025 represents a significant stride toward establishing an eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and economically viable transportation ecosystem within the state. Key components of this policy include subsidies on the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs), exemptions from registration charges and motor vehicle taxes, and a substantial increase of EV charging stations in the state. By offering concessions to electric vehicles at toll plazas along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg, and the Atal Setu, the policy has provided substantial encouragement to the purchase of EVs in Maharashtra. A primary objective of this policy is to ensure that, by 2030, 30 percent of all newly registered vehicles are electric.
MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025
Farmers face a multitude of challenges due to changing weather patterns and environmental conditions that result in financial losses. To mitigate these monetary losses and boost agricultural production at reduced costs, the State Government has introduced the MahaAgri-AI Policy 2025. Through this policy, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be deployed on a large scale in the agricultural sector. The objective is to bring about a transformative change in the state’s agricultural landscape over the four-year period spanning 2025 to 2029, by leveraging Artificial Intelligence, drones, and robotics technologies. To ensure the effective implementation of this policy, an AgriTech Center will be established. This center will operate with the assistance of national and international organizations, as well as subject matter experts. Also, there will be Agricultural-Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Research Promotion Centers, set up under the state’s four agricultural universities. Through these centers, farmers in the state will receive advice and guidance in their native language—Marathi. The success of this AI based support for the farmers will depend on sufficient realtime agri data, which will be sourced from various entities such as AgriStack, Maha-AgriTech, MahaVedh, CropSap, Agmarknet, Digital Farming Schools, and Maha-DBT.
Maharashtra Shipbuilding, Ship Repair, and Ship Recycling Development Policy 2025
The Maharashtra Shipbuilding, Repair, and Ship Recycling Policy 2025 is set to unlock a big potential for industries and employment in the times to come. On the back of the establishment of the Vadhavan Port in the Palghar district and the upgradation undertaken at the JNPT Port, the Fadnavis government decided to boost the state’s maritime economy by introducing this policy. A plan has also been formulated to establish maritime shipyard clusters by reviving the many inactive ports along the coast and to develop other port-related projects. These projects will be implemented through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). This initiative will provide a significant impetus to the domestic shipbuilding and ship repair industry. This policy will help foster growth in the shipbuilding industry, conserve foreign exchange, and enhance self-reliance within the Indian maritime sector. The Devendra Fadnavis-led government accorded its approval to this policy during a Cabinet meeting held on April 29, 2025.
Maharashtra Startup, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Policy 2025
The new Startup Policy has laid out a roadmap for the startup growth in the state. Building on the first Startup Policy launched in 2018, this new policy is expected to foster business initiatives across the new age sectors such as Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Agri-Tech, Green Tech, Quantum Technology, Space Tech, and Semiconductors. Under the previous policy, as recognized by the Central Government’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Maharashtra accounted for 29,147 startups, the highest in the country. In 2025, Maharashtra has resolved to see a larger and more enthusiastic startup ecosystem in the state. The new policy also focuses on encouraging women, youth, SC/ST, and economically weaker sections to start their micro-enterprises across both urban and rural areas. This will help create vibrant ecosystems and skilled manpower, which will invite large industries to set up their establishments in Maharashtra.
App-Based Transportation Policy 2025
A distinct policy has been announced for app-based vehicles and transport services. Formulated in accordance with a Supreme Court order, this policy encompasses eligibility criteria for aggregator companies and drivers for customer safety, grievance redressal, fare, special provisions for women, and the promotion of electric vehicles. This policy is expected to help alleviate, to some extent, the pressure on the city’s public transport system. Furthermore, it will provide enhanced services to the residents of rapidly growing urban centers.
These policy decisions collectively demonstrate that the State Government has taken strides toward quality-driven, sustainable, and inclusive development on ground, rather than putting up statistical data. It appears that these policy initiatives will usher in a new era of visionary and transformative development for Maharashtra under the leadership of Devendra Fadnavis.